He definitely didn’t hold back.
President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate for New York governor is making headlines with a blistering three-word attack against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul as the state’s election approaches.
Republican Bruce Blakeman delivered a Halloween-themed message that quickly drew attention to his campaign against the Democratic incumbent.
“DITCH THE WITCH!”
The phrase accompanied AI-generated images depicting Hochul as a witch, adding another layer of controversy to an already contentious race for control of New York’s governor’s mansion.
But Blakeman isn’t relying on political slogans alone. He’s also making a bold prediction about the election’s outcome.
Despite recent polls showing Hochul with a double-digit advantage, the Trump-backed Republican insists the contest remains competitive.
Trump-Backed Republican Makes Bold Election Prediction
Speaking to more than 100 supporters during a campaign rally in Queens on Saturday, Blakeman dismissed suggestions that the New York governor’s race had already been decided.
The Nassau County executive described the election as a “virtual dead heat,” challenging surveys that show Hochul maintaining a substantial lead.
Blakeman urged his supporters not to become discouraged by polling results, arguing that political history offers plenty of examples of unexpected victories.
He specifically pointed to Republican George Pataki’s stunning 1994 victory over Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo.
That election ended Cuomo’s lengthy tenure and demonstrated that Republican candidates could win statewide in traditionally Democratic New York.
More than three decades later, Blakeman hopes to accomplish something similar.
However, recent independent surveys suggest he faces an uphill battle.
New York Governor’s Race Takes Unexpected Halloween Turn
The Halloween controversy erupted as Blakeman’s campaign shared AI-generated images and videos portraying Hochul as a witch.
The Republican candidate accompanied the imagery with his three-word slogan, “DITCH THE WITCH!”
The attack came during the final weekend before Election Day, when both candidates were working to energize supporters and attract attention to their campaigns.
Hochul’s campaign responded with a Halloween-themed criticism of its own.
Democrats targeted Blakeman’s controversial Nassau County program involving armed civilian volunteers serving as emergency special deputy sheriffs.
The governor’s campaign questioned the program’s approach to public safety and oversight.
The competing attacks reflected the increasingly aggressive tone of the election’s closing days.
Hochul Faces Growing Republican Criticism Over New York Policies
Beyond the campaign rhetoric, Blakeman has spent considerable time criticizing Hochul’s leadership on issues affecting New York residents.
Taxes, the cost of living, crime, and immigration have become major themes throughout his campaign.
The Republican has argued that New York families are facing unnecessary financial burdens and that state government needs a different approach.
For homeowners, retirees, and families living on fixed incomes, property taxes, utility expenses, housing costs, and other household bills remain important concerns.
Blakeman has positioned himself as an alternative to the Democratic administration, promising a tougher approach to public safety and immigration enforcement.
His campaign has also emphasized his experience managing Nassau County.
Hochul has defended her administration’s policies and pointed to investments in public safety and other state priorities.
The governor has also criticized Blakeman’s alignment with President Trump, making the Republican’s relationship with the White House a central issue in the campaign.
These competing messages have created a clear contrast between the candidates heading into the November election.
Latest Polls Show Hochul Leading Despite Blakeman’s Confidence
While Blakeman continues to express optimism, recent polling presents a significantly different picture.
A Siena University survey released October 28 found Hochul receiving 54% support among likely voters, compared with 40% for Blakeman.
That represents a 14-point advantage for the Democratic incumbent.
A separate Marist University poll also showed Hochul ahead, with 53% support compared with Blakeman’s 42%.
The results indicate that Hochul remains the favorite heading into Election Day.
Nevertheless, Blakeman has challenged the reliability of the surveys and argued that his supporters should focus on the election rather than the polling.
His confidence reflects a broader Republican strategy of emphasizing turnout and appealing to New Yorkers dissatisfied with the state’s direction.
Whether that approach can overcome Hochul’s polling advantage remains uncertain.
Republicans Hope To Repeat Historic New York Upset
Blakeman’s reference to George Pataki carries particular significance for New York Republicans.
In 1994, Pataki defeated Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo during a political environment that favored Republicans nationally.
The victory demonstrated that New York’s Democratic lean did not make Republican success impossible.
Blakeman is attempting to draw a similar comparison in 2026.
However, the political environment has changed considerably since Pataki’s first victory.
New York Democrats continue to enjoy substantial advantages in voter registration and statewide elections.
For Blakeman to win, he would likely need strong Republican participation, significant support from independent voters, and better-than-expected results in traditionally Democratic areas.
That combination would represent a major political upset.
President Trump’s Endorsement Adds National Attention
President Trump’s support has made Blakeman’s campaign a race of interest beyond New York.
The Republican candidate has embraced his connection to Trump while presenting himself as an alternative to Hochul’s Democratic administration.
Hochul, meanwhile, has repeatedly highlighted that relationship while warning voters about the direction Blakeman would take the state.
The contest illustrates how national political divisions have become intertwined with state-level concerns.
Yet many of the most immediate issues facing New York residents remain local.
The affordability of housing, household utility bills, public safety, taxation, and the state’s economic future are all central questions confronting voters.
Those issues will remain important regardless of which candidate occupies the governor’s office after the election.
Election Day Could Deliver A Major Political Surprise
With Election Day scheduled for November 3, both campaigns are making their final appeals to voters.
Blakeman planned campaign appearances in Queens and Manhattan during the closing weekend, while Hochul scheduled stops on Long Island and in New York City.
The Republican candidate’s Halloween-themed attack has attracted attention, but the larger question is whether his campaign can translate that attention into votes.
Hochul enters the final stretch with a clear polling advantage and the benefits of incumbency.
Blakeman, however, remains determined to challenge expectations, insisting that the election is more competitive than public surveys indicate.
For New Yorkers concerned about taxes, affordability, crime, and the direction of state government, the approaching election offers a choice between two different governing philosophies.
Blakeman’s three-word attack may have captured headlines, but the outcome will depend on what New Yorkers decide at the ballot box.
And on November 3, voters will determine whether Hochul remains in office or Trump’s endorsed Republican pulls off one of the year’s biggest political upsets.
